Community News

Students survey petroglyphs at NAN Ranch in the Mimbres Valley, July 9, 2024. The students are part of a Preservation Archaeology Field School jointly led by WNMU, the University of Arizona, and Archaeology Southwest.SILVER CITY, NM - For six weeks this summer, WNMU is hosting the Preservation Archaeology Museum and Survey Field School, a joint venture between the university, Archaeology Southwest, and the University of Arizona. Twelve archaeology students from across the country are taking part in the field school, which introduces participants to archaeological analysis and field techniques as well as to the methods and approaches used to interpret archaeological data and apply them to anthropological questions. WNMU Museum Director Danielle Romero and Karen Schollmeyer, who is a preservation archaeologist with Archaeology Southwest, are jointly leading the field school.

Silver City, NM—The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) today announced former Lieutenant David Neil's arrest following a thorough investigation into allegations of timecard and overtime fraud. The arrest marks a significant step in the department's commitment to maintaining transparency, integrity, and accountability within its ranks.

The investigation began last year after internal audits revealed discrepancies in Neil's timecard submissions and overtime claims. The discrepancies prompted NMSP to launch a comprehensive inquiry to determine the extent of the alleged fraud. Working closely with the Sixth Judicial District Attorney's Office, investigators found substantial evidence indicating that Neil had falsified time records and claimed overtime for hours he did not work.

Grant County Prospectors new officers 2024 25are from left – Treasurer Vladimir Gnilozubov; 2nd Vice President Bart Roselli; 1st Vice President Romeo Cruz; President Carlos Lucero; and Secretary Misty Pugmire

[Editor's Note: More photos below.]

Founded in 1973, the Grant County Prospectors is considered by many to be the very first regional advocacy group in the State of New Mexico. Prospectors is a nonpartisan and nonpolitical entity. The group advocates for the local community by educating and creating awareness among legislators and the general public of issues facing the communities of Grant County and the importance of aligning public policy to address the need.

Prospectors hold several events each year, with two of these being the most significant contributions of their work. One event is the hosting of "Grant County Day" at the New Mexico State Legislature in Santa Fe, which is a one-day event where the needs of Grant County are showcased to the Governor, legislators and cabinet members. The second significant event is that of the "Grant County Forum" event. The Forum was formed at the request of local Legislators for the purpose of creating an opportunity for county entities to have an open dialogue with them about community needs and projects. The Forum results in summary notebooks compiled by the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments for each of the area legislators and sets the agenda for Grant County Day.

The Grant County Prospectors recently elected new officers for the 2024-2025 year. The new officers include:
President Carlos Lucero, Vice-President/Branch Manager; 1st Vice President Romeo Cruz, Director of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce; 2nd Vice President ?Bart Roselli, Director of the Silver City Museum; Secretary Misty Pugmire, Retired and Co-President of Community Partnership for Children; and Treasurer Vladimir Gnilozubov, Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisor.

Appointed Committee Leadership includes: By-laws Committee: Mike McMillian, Southwest Bone and Joint Operations Officer; Membership Committee: Misty Pugmire (Chr) and Dr. Sabrina Pack, COO SkyWest Media (Vice Chr); ?and Advocacy Committee: Kim Clark, Silver City Association of Realtors, Executive and Governmental Affairs Director, (Chr) and Priscilla Lucero, Executive Director Southwest Council of Governments (Vice Chr).

The Board of Directors includes: Chairman (President) ?Carlos Lucero; 1st Vice President Romeo Cruz; 2nd Vice President ?Bart Roselli; Secretary Misty Pugmire; Treasurer ?Vladimir Gnilozubov; Past President - Wayne Sherwood; and Advocacy Chair - Kim Clark.

At the Grant County Prospector's regular July meeting a special ceremony was held to recognize members for their service and to officially pass the gavel. Ceremony was led by Dr. Sabrina Pack and assisted by Laura Phelps. Julie Morales was recognized with the "Distinguished Past President's Award" with over 25 years of service and five times serving as President. Priscilla Lucero was recognized for countless hours of dedicated service to improving the lives of so many in Grant County. She was presented a special crystal trophy by her son, Carlos Lucero, which made the occasion even more special. Wayne Sherwood was recognized for his outstanding leadership this past year as President 2023-2024.

The objective of the Prospectors is to contribute to the long-range improvements of the economic conditions in the Grant County area. To accomplish this objective, the Prospectors develop goals to best utilize county and community natural and human resources and strive to serve as a catalyst to activate service clubs, units of government, and appropriate groups or organizations in overall economic development activities. To learn more, go to GrantCountyProspectors.org.

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Silver City, NM - On June 11, 2024, Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) transitioned to VetMed Group as its primary radiology provider, replacing Radpartners. This decision was driven by GRMC's commitment to enhancing patient care quality, particularly by ensuring more timely results for imaging studies.

VetMed Group, established nearly ten years ago with a mission to support American veterans through teleradiology and comprehensive medical services, has since become a trusted partner of the VA. Today, VetMed Group delivers round-the-clock radiology services with a focus on patient care, integrity, and excellence.

3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Tournament brings awareness to mental health and raises money for scholarships

LORDSBURG, N.M. – There were 137 teams of all ages that dribbled into Lordsburg High School Gymnasium in Lordsburg, N.M. for the 15th Annual Jessie Darnell 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Friday-Sunday, July 12-14.

There were 389 total games played over three days with countless memories made, while Los Chivos; (Chase Salazar, Carlo Michael, Emery Coleman, Devin Collins) won the open division on the men's side and NM Elite; (Jaz Ruiz, Alize Ruiz, Faith Silva) won the open women's division.

The Jessie Darnell 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was founded as a memorial for Jessie Darnell, who was a stellar student-athlete for the Lordsburg Mavericks and tragically lost his life to suicide in 2007. The family of Darnell wanted to bring light and awareness to mental health while also finding a way to raise money for scholarships.

By Frost McGahey

On Monday Gabriel Ramos, Republican candidate for legislative District 28, spoke to the League of Republican Women Voters.

He began by saying, "I was a lifelong Democrat like a lot of voters, but I started to see Washington Democrats shift to the left and lose the values I was brought up with. Then I saw Democrats in our own state following the same course to appeal to Santa Fe's most radical arm of the party."

Ramos had been appointed to fill Howie Morales's seat in the legislature in 2019 when Morales became Lieutenant Governor. However, in 2020, he was primaried by Siah Correa Hemphill and lost his race. Hemphill went on to win, but only by a slim margin.*

Luis Alfonso Rivera Campos (left), Rector of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, joins President Joseph Shepard of Western New Mexico University to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions, July 16, 2024. The MOU will facilitate academic, scientific, and technological collaboration between the universitiesSILVER CITY, NM – Western New Mexico University President Dr. Joseph Shepard hosted a delegation of administrators from the Autonomous University of Chihuahua to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities, July 16, 2024.

The memorandum provides a pathway for academic, scientific, and technological collaboration between the two institutions, including the opportunity for students at either university to earn dual degrees. The memorandum also provides for research projects and activities engaged in by faculty, staff, or researchers from either institution conducted at the other, and it encourages the joint development of seminars, conferences and workshops.

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Western New Mexico University Director of Golf Operations and Head Men's and Women's Coach, Kent Beatty, has announced his retirement.

For the last 27 years the newly titled, "Golf Coach Emeritus," Beatty has directed both the Men's and Women's Golf programs at WNMU and developed a system stressing that great golf, solid classroom performance, and learning people skills, will increase his players chances of success.